I was born in Amsterdam. My mother is from Indonesia and my father is from Surinam. I have two sisters; one older and one younger than me. I grew up in a warm and loving family.
When I was a student at secondary school I experienced how difficult it was to feel Dutch and at the same time feel loyal to the values that I was taught at home.
After secondary school, I studied English at Amsterdam University. I wanted to become a social worker and enrol at a polytech, but out of loyalty towards my parents I chose to go to university and become a teacher.
I have worked as an English teacher for 32 years, of which three years on Curacao. During these years I have helped hundreds of students (and parents) with all kinds of issues (big and small). I have learned that a lot can be solved by simply talking to somebody.
In May 2017 I finished a three-year course in contextual coaching at Orthoconsult.
In my coaching sessions I use a contextual approach. Key elements of the contextual approach are giving recognition, trust and mutual support.

I am happily married. Together we have a 20-year-old daughter. I am stepmom to a 32-year-old daughter and a 30-year-old son.